In “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell, the protagonist (Rainsford) struggled with the actions of the antagonist (General Zaroff) throughout his adventure. The images used to describe the island, deadly swamp, and castle show that it is inhabited and a dangerous place with the use of setting, imagery, and the tone Connell shows Rainsford’s difficulties, persistence, and triumph to the audience. By using these key aspects, Connell makes important connections to the theme while alluding to hunting as the main concept of this whole adventure.
The setting of “The Most Dangerous Game” is an indubitable feature that lets the reader get an idea of where this is all taking place and gives the feeling as to what the story should feel like.
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General Zaroff is described by Connell from Rainsford’s point-of-view, “Rainsford 's first impression was that the man was singularly handsome; his second was that there was an original, almost bizarre quality about the general 's face. He was a tall man past middle age, for his hair was a vivid white; but his thick eyebrows and pointed military mustache were as black as the night from which Rainsford had come. His eyes, too, were black and very bright. He had high cheekbones, a sharpcut nose, a spare, dark face--the face of a man used to giving orders, the face of an aristocrat.” (Paragraph 56). Here Connell really paints a picture in the reader 's imagination of what Zaroff’s appearance is, showing that he is tall, has a very distinctive face, and looks like a man used to giving orders to others. Later on when Rainsford and Zaroff took place in their hunting game, at one point Rainsford was hiding from Rainsford to avoid being killed. When describing what was going on from Rainsford point-of-view again, it was stated that terror was about to burst from his heart, while he was watching Zaroff smoke below the tree he was in. This really lets the reader’s mind know how much fear was going on through Rainsford during this hunting game. Here Connell really shows how his use of imagery relates to the tone of the story and how is set during …show more content…
Connell was able to make the water of the Caribbean feel as if it were a truly spooky. By using descriptive words such as eerie, dark, and blood-warm, Connell is able to portray how creepy the sea was. While Rainsford was on the island the tone inclines as too if this was a horror story. The island is described as basically a frightening jungle including a deadly swamp and quicksand as possible threats. The castle is viewed as a haunted house, with blood-thirsty hounds keeping Zaroff company. However, no matter how spooky this all truly sounds the suspense is what really keeps the reader involved, provoking his / hers imagination. This keeps the reader interested in what’s happening and keeps them wondering what will come next. Connell makes sure to keep us guessing as to what will occur next with Rainsford throughout the hunting game played with Zaroff. Finally we learn that Rainsford wins the game by surviving for three days on the island. Here the reader could perceive that thought that the story is over, but it isn’t. Rainsford then challenges Zaroff to a fight to the death; however, this is not included in the story. We can imply that Rainsford won the fight by Connell using including this statement, “He had never slept in a better bed, Rainsford decided.” (Paragraph 208). This goes to show that Rainsford has won the challenge against Zaroff and despite of all the
The most dangerous game began as a sport for one man. His name is Sanger Rainsford. In Richard Connell’s story “The Most Dangerous Game,” Sanger Rainsford, an avid hunter, is lost at sea, stranded on “Ship-Trap” Island-every sailor’s worst nightmare. Rainsford goes through a series of events that prove to be life-altering. Even though Sanger Rainsford went through many trials and tribulations, he never lost his intelligence, composure, or his bravery.
In both film and story, Rainsford expresses his lack of sympathy for his prey. Similar to the story, Rainsford meets Ivan first and can’t get through to him and then, he’s greeted by Zaroff. In the film, Zaroff knows that Rainsford is a famous hunter and has read his books, just like in the story. Moreover, Zaroff reveals that a cape buffalo gave him the scar on his head. In the same manner, Zaroff tells Rainsford how he stocks his island with human prey. Just as the film showed Zaroff has a room filled with human heads, and that’s also mentioned in the story. Furthermore, Rainsford uses the same traps (Malay Mancatcher, Burmese Tiger Pit, and a native Uganda Trick) in the film as he did in the story. In addition, Rainsford kills Ivan with the same native Uganda trick. Both film and movie, unveils that Rainsford kills
Zaroff is extremely pleased when he gets to host Rainsford at his house, as if it's an honor to host this world renowned hunter in his home. He is so pleased when he has the chance to tell Rainsford about his new hunting style. “Dear me. Again with that unpleasant word. But I think I can show you that your scruples are quite ill founded” (26). Zaroff believes that he can change Rainsfords view on his hunting style when he reacts immediatly with great disgust.
In Richard Connell’s “The Most Dangerous Game”, he uses several literary devices to keep the reader interested. During Rainsfords journey to and through the island of General Zaroff he partakes in an adventurous journey filled with mystery, suspense, and dilemma. These devices are used to keep the reader interested throughout the story.
The author of “The Most Dangerous Game” is Richard Connell. Richard Connell is an American author and journalist, who wrote a lot of short stories and few novels. His short stories appeared in the Saturday Evening Post and Collier's Weekly. While he was still in high school, Richard Connell was hired as the city editor for sixteen dollars a week. He studied college at Georgetown University, while working as a secretary for his father, who had been elected to Congress. After his father’s death, he moved to Harvard, and started writing for two college newspapers. After graduating, he transferred to New York, but he also left a brief stint in the army during World War |. After that, he moved to Los Angeles and began to write screenplays for major Hollywood movie studios. Richard Connell’s most famous story is “The Most Dangerous Game”, which is still widely read, even nowadays. It has inspired many movies and it’s probably the most frequently anthologized American story.
In “The Most Dangerous Game” the author creates two strikingly similar characters that blur the line of ethics. Rainsford, the protagonist, meets his adversary and leader of an exotic tribe, Zaroff, after falling off of a yacht and swimming to the nearest island. The short story then explores the events that transpires between the strangers – focusing on Zaroff's bloodthirsty hunt against Rainsford. Yet even with the two men on opposite sides of a loaded gun, they both share many common interests and views pertaining to their similar backgrounds, hunting methods, and desired end result.
As the sweltering, hot sun signified the start of a scorching afternoon, a young boy lay in the fields harvesting vegetables for another family. He had been enslaved to perform chores around the house for the family, and was only given very few privileges. While his stomach throbbed with pangs of hunger, he continued cooking meals for them. After the family indulged in the cozy heat from the fireplace, he was the one to clean the ashes. Despite his whole body feeling sore from all the rigorous work he completed, the young boy had been left alone to suffer. As months passed by, he desired independence. He wanted to cook his own food, make his own fire, harvest his own plants and earn money. The lad soon discovered that he needed faith and courage to break away from his restricted environment. When put in a suppressive situation, every person has the aspiration to escape the injustice. This is what Harrison Bergeron and Sanger Rainsford do to liberate themselves from the external forces that govern their lives. Harrison, the main character of “Harrison Bergeron” written by Kurt Vonnegut, is a strong, fourteen year old boy whose talents have been concealed by the government. Growing up in an environment where equality has restricted people’s thinking, Harrison endeavors to change society’s views. Rainsford, the main character of “The Most Dangerous Game” written by Richard Connell, is a skilled hunter who believes that animals were made to be hunted; he has no sympathy for them. Stranded on island with a killer chasing him, he learns to make rational choices. While both Harrison and Ranisford are courageous characters, Rainsford’s prudence enables him to overpower his enemy, whereas Harrison’s impulsive nature results in him being ...
General Zaroff used hunting tactics when they were eating “the last supper” at Zaroff’s house. Every time Rainsford looked up, he said, “he found him studying him, appraising him narrowly” (Connell 66). By this, the reader can tell that Zaroff is trying to notice Rainsford’s tendencies. Knowing these can make hunting him easier. Also at dinner, Zaroff explains to Rainsford that “God made him a hunter” and how his father believed that “his hand was made for the trigger” since he was ten (Connell 85). Zaroff sharing this with Rainsford is proof that this man is a talented hunter and has been for a long time. Rainsford is quite the hunter himself. So much so, that Zaroff knew who he was when he arrived. The General stated, “It is a very great pleasure and honor to welcome Mr. Sanger Rainsford, the celebrated hunter, to my home” (Connell 52). Also during the hunt when Rainsford set up the Burmese tiger pit and claiming one of Zaroff’s dogs, Zaroff tells him, “You’ve done well, Rainsford” (Connell 194). If his enemy believes that he is a great hunter, then he must be. Especially because Zaroff thinks so highly of himself. Going back to when Rainsford was
To begin with, the setting for “The Most Dangerous Game” is very fitting. The author, Richard Connell, picked the best place to set the story. Reason being, the mansion is on a large island that is feared by everyone. Also the mansion, on the outside at least, looks scary. Since it was dark out and there were cliffs surrounding the house, there was a scary shadow that was cast down. While on the yacht, Sanger Rainsford, the main character or protagonist, came across this island and asked for the name. His friend Whitney replied, “The old charts call it ‘Ship Trap Island’,” (Connell). Ship Trap Island is the name of the island. It doesn’t sound like a happy place to be but it is the dark and violent thoughts and feelings that come with the title, which perfectly fits the theme of the story. Another form of proof, to tell where the story took place is in this quote, “…the blood-warm waters of the Caribbean Sea dosed over his head” (Connell). Rainsford went to get a closer look to see the island more clearly by stepping on the rail. He lost his balance and fell...
First of all, Zaroff is characterized as intelligent. For example, Zaroff has successfully hunted so many animals that “It would be impossible for me to tell you how many animals I have killed”. Also, Zaroff foiled every trap that Rainsford set: the Malay mancatcher, the Burmese tiger pit, and the native trick from Uganda. Secondly, Richard Connell characterizes Zaroff as cunning. An example is that the General uses lights that “indicate a channel where there’s none” to trap ships on his island. Also, Zaroff creates a “new animal” to hunt that has the ability to reason. Finally, Zaroff is characterized as confident. For example, Zaroff decides not to kill Rainsford on the first night because he is confident Rainsford won’t be alive in three days time. Also, Zaroff congratulates Rainsford for creating a trap that fails to kill him because he believes he will get Rainsford tomorrow. Intelligent, cunning and confident are all characteristics of General Zaroff of “The Most Dangerous Game”.
In the short story The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell, Rainsford is a selfish man that thinks animals feel no pain and that they are only good for hunting. This is until he becomes the one that is being hunted within the story. In the short story, Connell uses the setting to add an eerie mood to the text. The use of imagery adds suspense within the settings of the yacht, the chateau, and the jungle.
General Zaroff uses the sea to his advantage to trap the prey for his hunts. He uses light to indicate a channel that is non-existent. The sea brings a great deal of fear and terror for most people that use it. The sea is the first place where people feel fear as they are being trapped. The jungle symbolizes the Greek god Phobos, the god of panic and flee. “...spurred on by the sharp rowers of something like panic.” The jungle provokes the panic in Rainsford as well as the feeling of being hunted. “When the general, nursing his bruised shoulder, had gone, Rainsford took up his flight again. It was flight now, a desperate, hopeless flight, that carried him on for some hours.” The jungle has provoked the feeling of panic and flight. This is where the feeling of flee and panic grows most strong. Being hunted by a psychopathic general and being forced into the jungle causes emotions to flood into Rainsford’s mind. Finally, General Zaroff symbolizes the ruler of the underworld, Hades. “...his smile showed red lips and pointed teeth.” These characteristics symbolize the evil in General Zaroff. General Zaroff said, “So I bought this island built this house, and here I do my hunting.” General Zaroff is the owner and
The setting in Richard Connell’s short story “The Most Dangerous Game” is essential to the progression of the plot. For instance, what if the setting were in a building? In this way, it would be much easier to escape. The author states: “He [Rainsford] was in a picture with a frame of water and his operations, clearly, must take place within that frame” (11). Due to this, Connell shows that Rainsford really is trapped within the island with no means of escaping. Moreover, if he were to flee, it would be easier to warn locals of General Zaroff’s exploits. Since this hypothetical setting is a building, chances are that there would at least be a town, if not a city, surrounding it. If Rainsford were to escape, it is almost a guarantee he would
The setting in Richard Connell’s narrative “The Most Dangerous Game” is imperative to the integrity of the story. For instance, General Zaroff chose this Ship Trap Island because it is able to provide him with a constant flow of new prey, using a false channel. A channel usually indicates a safe passage for ships using lights. But the general instead places the lights so that they indicate what would be a safe passage, but instead is a path of large, ship tearing rocks. When a ship does become unfortunate enough to end up sailing through the channel, it is torn up, and sinks, leaving behind its crew which makes the choice of swimming to the island, and becoming General Zaroff’s prey. “‘They [the lights] indicate a channel where there is none:
Evidence for this is in the story “High Noon” which cites “It bakes in the sun, a rather crooked and winning street street that seems deserted now in the Sunday calm” (Foreman 288). This states that it is not only a warm climate, which is similar to “The Most Dangerous Game”, but that it is located out in the southwestern region in a deserted area most likely in a desert which means that the setting for this story does not share that much in common with “The Most Dangerous Game”. Another piece of evidence from the story “The Most Dangerous Game” states “Off there to the right somewhere is a large island it’s rather a mystery” (Connell 211). This lists that it is not only located in a warm, tropical region, but also in a mysterious, unnerving setting which shares no similarities to “High Noon” whatsoever. All in All both settings are remarkably divergent, but both portray the same